One big happy family - Currents

Cheers, Jan-Feb, 2002

Retail sellers of beverage alcohol have been represented by at least two organizations in Washington, DC: the National Association of Beverage Retailers, which has traditionally represented both off-premise and on-premise operations, and the National Licensed Beverage Association, the nation's largest trade association dedicated to licensed beverage retailers including bars, taverns, restaurants and liquor stores. Confusion about the two organizations will shortly disappear, as they have agreed to a merger that will take effect next August.

"This merger represents a landmark combination within the retail tier of the beverage alcohol industry," said NABR president Greg Wonsmos in a release announcing the merger. "It brings together two proud and effective organizations into one giant grassroots association."

"Combing the resources of the NLBA and NABR will allow both organizations to help serve their members in many new ways," said NLBA president Gary McClenaghan. "We are confident that the business interests of the licensed beverage retailers industry will continue to improve by this historic merger."

The two organizations will hold their conventions simultaneously in March in Las Vegas. Future plans for the NABR-NBLA include new offices in the DC-area, staffing the new organization and fine-tuning governance and legal issues.